Oropharynx

The oropharynx forms forms part of the pharynx, being the continuation of the oral cavity and nasopharynx superiorly, and the larynx and hypopharynx inferiorly. It It also forms part of the upper respiratory tract and and the gastrointestinal tract.

Its mucosa layer is continuous with the oral cavity, its submucosal layer is continuous with pharyngobasilar fascia, and its muscular layer is continuous with the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, tongue muscles, tensor, and levator veli palatini ⁶.

Gross anatomy

Boundaries

• anteriorly: vertical plane defined by the circumvallate papillae, anterior tonsillar pillars, and border of hard and soft palate

• posteriorly: posterior pharyngeal wall

• superiorly: level level of the soft palate free free border

• inferiorly: level of the hyoid bone or or tip of epiglottis

• laterally: tonsillar fossae and pillars

Contents

The subsites of the oropharyngeal tissues include the following:

• base (posterior third) of tongue(including lingual tonsils)

• tonsillar complex (palatine tonsils, tonsillar tonsillar fossae, and tonsillar pillars)

• soft palate(inferior surface and uvula)

• pharyngeal wall (lateral and posterior)

Various spaces are included:

• glossotonsillar sulci (area between base of tongue/lingual tonsils and palatine tonsils)

• valleculae(space between the base of tongue and epiglottis)

• oropharyngeal isthmus (space between the palatoglossal arches)

For staging purposes, the lingual (anterior) surface of the epiglottis is excluded and instead classified as part of the larynx, and the nasopharyngeal (superior) surface of the soft palate is excluded and instead classified as part of the nasopharynx.

Arterial Supply

• ascending palatine branch of the facial artery

• ascending pharyngeal artery

Venous drainage

• facial vein

• lingual vein

• pharyngeal vein

Related pathology

• oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma